The Village of Ellicottville and Holiday Valley Resort, located on Route 219, will host their annual Winter Carnival and Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday and Sunday, March 8th and 9th, with two huge parades, fun and games, and a food drive to benefit the Ellicottville Food Pantry.

Saturday is Vintage Ski Outfit Day in the Village: get something to eat at the all-day Safety Patrol Cookout at Yodeler Lodge (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) while the kids are checking out face painting, snow bowling and a scavenger hunt. At 6:30 p.m. the Village transforms for the annual Mardi Gras Parade. Register for the Mardi Gras Parade here.

Sunday is Bad Sweater/Sunglasses Day in the Village: after a Ski Patrol Pancake Breakfast (9 a.m.), the cookout at Yodeler Lounge continues (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), with a Costume Parade taking place at noon at the resort (line-up at 11:45 a.m.). The 21-and-over crowd can check out the Wine and Cheese Party with the Ellicottville Ski Club, or the Lederhosen Ski Club’s hot dog cookout, both outside the Holiday Valley Lodge at noon. The popular Dummy Downhill at Yodeler takes place at 2 p.m.

A drop box for canned goods will be located at the area Tops Market on Friday, March 7th from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, March 8th from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as downtown during the Mardi Gras parade. Donations benefit the Ellicottville Food Pantry.

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Paula Thompson has lived in the suburbs of Buffalo her entire life, and loves telling others about all the great things that go on in the Buffalo/Niagara region. Have an idea for Paula? Email her at paulathompsonfreelance@gmail.com.